First off is a Tohatsu outboard worth buying or should I save up for another, more well known brand? I'm seriously looking at buying a brand new 18hp four stroke from them.

Hows the power for this model?

Should I go electric start or is that something else to break? I don't mind pull starting.

Pros and cons of new vs. used.

Any and all advice is much appreciated.

BTW: My boat is an Alumacraft 1542 w/ a 15" transom.

Thanks a bunch guys, this is a major purchase for me.

Also, about what speed can I expect with 2 adults, one kid, battery, gear and full tank of gas.

Thanks again.

Brent: I have a 16' Lowe with a 15hp 4-stroke Tohatsu that I use on a private lake with HP restrictions. It has been one awesome motor (had it about 4 years). Mine is an electric start and remote steering. I don't think you can get any better mototr, though you could certainly spend more on name brands. I'm guessing you will run about 20mph.

Tohatsu motors, at least the 2-strokes, have proven to be bullet proof in almost any environment. As far as being a well-known brand, they are made by Nissan. If I were looking for any motor 140hp or less, Tohatsu would be my 1st choice.

I have a 25hp Nissan 4 stroke and it's a great little motor. Get the electric cause pulling a four stroke isn't as easy as a two stroke.

Well I couldn't order the short shaft electric start Tohatsu 18 because they were out of stock. The sales guy gave me the option of ordering the exact same motor by Nissan for the same price and I accepted. I really wanted the Tohatsu because the stickers look better in my opinion. But hey they are identical motors and the Nissan should have better resale because of the name.

Should be here this Monday... I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas! LOL

Hi Brent, I just received my Tohatsu 15 short shaft and I can't wait to get it on my 14ft alum boat. I read up on 15HP motors and customer satisfaction and the Tohatsu is recommended.

I will be running around PK Lake chasing LMB. I know they are there somewhere.

Bob

So Tohatsu has a better customer satisfaction than Nissan? I thought they were made from the same manufacture (Tohatsu).

I thought Tohatsu actually made Nissan's. They are the number one 2 stroke builder in the world! They specialize in the smaller 2 stoke engines from outboards, weedeaters, blowers, ect. Most companies like Nissan buy their engines from Tahatsu.

Believe it or not, I had a '72 Sears 5.0 Hp engine. We bought an '85 Gamefisher 5.5 from Sears when I was in the 7th-8th grade. It locked up a couple of years later, and I rebuilt the Gamefisher. When I had the Gamefisher apart, I figured while I'm dirty and greasy, I would look at that old Sears motor.

GUESS WHAT? Both motors were the same! I couldn't find any differences in other than the jets on the carbs. Both powerheads had Tohatsu stamped on them, and all parts matched Tohatsu Parts identically. I couldn't find an owner's manual for the older Sears, but Tohatsu had one. All Parts on the Gamefisher (carb kit), seals, ect, matched up completely!

So I wouldn't worry too much about a Tohatsu!

Got the Nissan Today and started the break-in procedure. 10 minutes at idle and about 30 minutes at less than 25%. Tomorrow I'll put 2 good hours on it running 25% throttle.

BTW what do you guys think about me running 10-40 Mobil 1 Synthetic oil??